ep1 spoilers ahead

--HERE WE GO; 1/96!--
BRIEF IMPORTANT INFO BEFORE SUMMARY BEGINS:
The Tang Dynasty had multiple reforms of the Harem Ranking System. Based on this show's timeline, there should be a reform following the reign of Taizong. For the purposes of clarity, this is (historically) what the ranking system should look like:

1.Empress
2.Consort (1 person per title)
Noble Consort (Guifei)
Pure Consort (Shufei)
Virtuous Consort (Defei)
Able Consort (Xianfei)
3.Imperial Concubines (1 person per title/all equal in rank)
Lady of Bright Deportment (Zhaoyi)
Lady of Bright Countenance (Zhaorong)
Lady of Bright Beauty (Zhaoyuan)
Lady of Cultivated Deportment (Xiuyi)
Lady of Cultivated Countenance (Xiurong)
Lady of Cultivated Beauty (Xiuyuan)
Lady of Complete Deportment (Chongyi)
Lady of Complete Countenance (Chongrong)
Lady of Complete Beauty (Chongyuan)
4.Other titles:
9 Ladies of Handsome Fairness, Nine Beautiful Ladies, Nine Talented Ladies, 27 Ladies of Precious Bevy, 27 Imperial Women, 29 Ladies of Elegance

*Cairen, I believe, refers to the Nine Talented Ladies because it means 'Talented'

Characters Introduced:

Ru Yi, Cairen--Lead Emperor Taizong Li Shimin
Xiao Xiang, Cairen Li Chengqian, Crown Prince
Xu Hui, Cairen Li Ke, Prince of Wu
Li Tai,Prince of Wei

Noble Consort Wei, Virtuous Consort Yin, Pure Consort Yang, and Able Consort Liu

Locations
Xuanwu Gate Incident-Refers to then Prince Li Shimin setting up a coup at Xuanwu Gate, where he killed the crown prince and his other older brother. He was crowned the crown prince, and 60 days later his father abdicated, making him emperor. (Don't feel too bad for them; his brothers apparently tried to poison him before the coup)

1.Our drama opens to a dramatic narration of the events that presumably will unfold. We are told that this is the Tang Dynasty, the most glamorous dynasty, led by Emperor Taizong. At its heart is Chang'an, the first recorded city of having a population of 1 million, and home of the Imperial Court. Here is the harem, housing 40,000 women, who scheme to attract the emperor's gaze while the administrative and civil court is full of men who scheme to overthrow the emperor....We are barraged with a number of names who will become important obstacles to our female leads future and told that in spite of everything she perseveres to become the empress...but for now, let's focus on the present.

2.A group of young women are on their way into the palace. They all bow when ordered (you must bow when an imperial family member is passing by) but our lead, 14-year old Ru Yi, stands there trying to catch a glimpse of the person inside the palanquin only to find it empty. She is scolded for not bowing and she defends her actions, explaining it was empty but she is told that even if it is empty one must treat it like it is the emperor inside :/

3.The scene changes to the emperor, who is watching his sons train. We learn (through narration) that he ascended the throne after killing his brothers at Xionwu Gate. He has three sons. Although they appear to get along, they in fact are all rivals for power and their scheming will make it easier for Ru Yi to later become empress...

4.The emperor challenges his sons; whoever wins gets his horse. They all lose (it is unclear if this is on purpose or if the emperor is that good). He provides a critique of their skills, and we learn that the second prince, Li Ke is overly clever and is like an assassin in his attacking while the youngest son is the most skilled but worries too much. While the crown prince is praised for his valour but reminded he must know when to attack and when to retreat. Then he points out that had they worked together they would have defeated him--

5.Meanwhile, the new imperial wives are having their blood drawn (?) and measurements taken. An unnamed woman asks why they must submit to this given their status, and the man in charge answers that this is something set down by Noble Consort Wu (ranked just below the empress in terms of inner palace power).

6.The girls will be trained, and basically treated like maids until the training ends. Xiao Xang refuses to be measured, finding it beneath her, and we learn that she is the niece to the noble consort. She is exempted from measuring (WTF? Nepotism!). Unsurprisingly, Ru Yi mutters that she is a snob under her breath (my girl calls it as she sees it) however Xu Hui warns her to be careful (sage advice since Xiao Xang is clearly favored and has powerful friends)

7.We change scenes, and go to Fenglu Terrace, where the girls are presented to Noble Consort Wei, Virtuous Consort Yin, Pure Consort Yang (who seems a little ill), and Able Consort Liu (who rubs her belly--is she pregnant?)

8.OH MAN I can tell this is going to be some epic drama. Noble Consort Wei expresses concern about Able Consort Liu's pregnancy and emphasizes that these weeks are important and she should be careful not to let another incident like before--I assume a miscarriage--happen (this a thinly veiled threat). Next Virtuous Consort picks on the sickly Pure Consort Yang who mentions she is weak but shoots a barb at her: if everyone were as pure as her things would be good, but if she didn't come and troublemakers were selected then they'd be in trouble (this seems like a sarcastic criticism)

9.These women are so bad....it's an extremely hot day and they have these girls standing in the blistering heat for quite a while (like exerting power?) before even allowing them in (one girl almost passes out!) Of course Ru Yi is picked on--she introduces herself and is essentially humiliated in front of everyone as her innocent question 'you know my father?' gives her the answer that while he is the Duke of Ying he is actually a merchant who purchased his position with money.

10.The consorts whisper that Ru Yi has unsurpassed beauty but has a 'stubbornness in her eyes' something the Emperor does not like....they receive their first assignment: to learn a dance and perform it on the Day of Commemorating the Empress Wende's death (she was the mother of the crown prince and apparently extremely virtuous, she wrote the Examples for Women, basically all about deportment and behavior for women, that the girls are studying in the series, and was in many ways the exact opposite of Ru Yi, refusing to even discuss matters of state with her husband because it 'wasn't her place')

11.It is interesting to note that the Consorts walk a fine line: they must select girls to serve the emperor but must also protect their own positions...a very fine line...

12.After the ceremony ends, Noble Consort takes the time to brag about a gift of wine the emperor gave her and invites everyone to her palace. Able Consort who is pregnant agrees to go but not drink. Virtuous Consort must practice her sutras and can't go, and Pure Consort is feeling ill. Able Consort suddenly falls down the stairs, and they panic, summoning a doctor, and she accuses Pure Consort of pushing her...

13.Liu Lanzuan, Siyao (I think a servant to Virtuous Consort) explains that her mistress could not have seen what happened because she was busy watching her steps. I am not sure of Ru Yi is extremely brave or extremely stupid: she defends the Pure Consort (since she saw this go down) and accuses Able Consort of falling down all on her own. This earns her the attention of the Noble Consort (who looks pretty mad)

14.Scene changes and the girls are lighting lotus lanterns (I know, it seems abrupt) and Ri Yu explains that although her mother to keep her mouth shut her father told her to do what she wants so long as she does not feel guilty, thus she spoke up even though it attracted attention.

15.Change scenes: all the consorts and the emperor are meeting with the doctor. Not only did Able Consort miscarry, but she will not be able to bear children again (making her useless). Noble Consort claims responsible without noting that the evil doer got away...He also immediately pardons Pure Consort and notes she had nothing to do with it. But he knows a new Cairen testified that she did not push her...(Ru Yi has enemeis...)

16.Xiao Xang, meanwhile, has gathered a little group of followers and puts on airs, accusing Ru Yi of playing a trick to catch the eye of the emperor (she is so obnoxious)

17.Back to the emperor: he orders his consorts to not tell Able Consort about her inability to have kids (aww). He walks with the doctor who admits to the Emperor that all of Able Consorts miscarriages were not accidents, and the Emperor says he has gone soft (I guess referring to him letting this go) He clearly blames the Noble Consort

18.The emperor reads some of the lotus lantern wishes, and most pray for his attention. Xu Hui's contains a poem he wrote when he was younger. Ru Yi's...is blank. The emperor immediately recalls she is the one who testified in defense of Pure Consort....

19.Meanwhile, Noble Consort is losing her sh** over the fact that her plot didn't work (I assume it was hers). She isn't worried about Ru Yi, convinced that her attention seeking behavior will lead to an early death. She despairs over the fact that her clan is slipping from power, so the emperor has been ignoring her (there is a lot happening in this show, a lot of political history lessons)

20.Noble Consort is RUTHLESS. In a meeting with Able Consort, we learn that she has been controlling Able Consort's life for years, threatening to have her father killed if she does not obey. Thus, Able Consort has induced many abortions and miscarriages and killed for Noble Consort. Now Able Consort looks back on her life and is in despair. Noble Consort tacitly implies she could always kill herself...the episode ends with her taking her own life...

Comments:
The costumes are STUNNING, as is the make up, the hair, the attention to detail is amazing
Ru Yi has interesting make up; I imagine they did her make up in a way to make her stand out in a sea of women, which is not easy--she makes me think of Snow White...
I have had to research a ton of things to supplement the show as I know nothing about this time period
This is going to be a pretty dramatic show, with lots of betrayal and murder. Can I handle it?

What I like: So we have some new faces who will have to contend with the powers that be. I also find it interesting (even though I might dislike their behavior) I certainly can respect that these ladies had to fight tooth and nail to get the emperor's attention; that they are here to help their families, and that your chances of gaining the attention of the emperor was pretty small....so this is WAR

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